Event Description: The ETSU Department of Art & Design and Slocumb Galleries in partnership with the Department of Allied Health Nutrition Program present “Garden of Eden” photographs by Polish artist Andrzej Maciejewski from September 23 to October 18, 2013. A lecture panel by the Senior Foodservice Administration class under Prof. Michelle Johnson will discuss “Food For Thought: Sustaining Global Food System” during the reception on October 8, Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m. In addition, Dr. Peter Pawlowicz shall discuss “Still Life in Art History” during ArtIfact on October 17, Third Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Slocumb Galleries.

Macijewski’ photographs are inspired by classical still life paintings juxtaposed according to his subtle commentary on contemporary food supply. He stated “our society created naïve approach to the nature, glorifying its fertility and opulence, in the same time our civilization harnessed and enslaved it.” The photographs are composed similar to old, European still life with a twist, the fruits and vegetables show the stickers and tags from supermarkets. Maciejewski added, “the 21st century society has created new Garden of Eden, where everything looks perfect and flawless. But many things, like the taste, the singularity and often even the humanity, have been lost during the process. My intention was to inspire a discussion on our relationship with the nature and the direction of our civilization.”

The Garden of Eden exhibition features 24 colour still-life photographs, resembling the paintings of old masters, but showing our modern fruits and vegetables from supermarket, with label stickers or wrapped in plastic foil. The titles of each work consist of the PLU numbers and names of the countries of origin of the products in the photograph. The project was completed in 2011 and its creation was supported by the Ontario Arts Council grant. The exhibition of Garden of Eden is now on the world tour, visiting simultaneously several venues across Europe and North America.

The photographs were taken with Maciejewski’s old good Sinar view camera, on 4x5 inches colour transparencies. He employed tungsten lighting and created the background sets with his wife Anna to create the effects he needed. I did not intend to directly reproduce the old paintings. The artist wanted to capture the atmosphere of these old classical works, and simulate the general feeling about them.

The Slocumb Galleries’ events are all open to the public free of charge, from Mondays thru Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with extended hours on Thursdays until 6 p.m., receptions and ArtIfact lectures. Located at Ernest C. Ball Hall, along Sherrod Drive, ETSU campus. For more information, email Slocumb Galleries’ Director Karlota Contreras-Koterbay at contrera@etsu.edu or call (423) 483-3179. Parking and handicapped access are available. For more information, please visit the ETSU PlanIt Calendar under Museum and Galleries or www.etsu.edu/cas/art/slocumb.